Hi we are my wife and I and 2 kids(5&2) are currentlyOn a trip of lifetime for six months from Australia.weStarted in NYC and are currently in Quebec,We plan to end our trip in mexico proberly inMazatlan or pv...I have done a lot of research Over the last two years but every time we mentionEnding our trip in Mexico other campers always advise against itAnd have stories such as locals driving into youFor cash payouts etc..we plan to clear the bordersASAP and drive on toll roads etc...has any oneElse done this with young kids and did they feelSafe?i think we will be fine but don't like to be made toFeel like I will be putting my kids in a unsafe situation.. Thanks nick..

I have lived and traveled in Mexico for the last 3.5 years by sailboat, bus, hotel, hostel and staying with ex-pat friends.It is an awesome place to go -- I believe you will truly enjoy it.I wrote a blog post sharing our thoughts about the safety of traveling in Mexico just last week. Links for RVing info at the bottom:Is Mexico Safe for Travelers?Ironically, one of the few places that we did not feel as safe as we'd have liked was Mazatlan.The absolute highlights for us were Guanajuato, Huatulco and Palenque. If there is any way to include those 3 in your itinerary, you will have seen some of the very best Mexico has to offer.

Please , please, please do not let the nay sayers wreck your trip of a lifetime. I've spent years of my life in Mexico, and many more near Detroit. Yes you can get mugged and extorted for money in Mexico. I have direct experence. My advice? Use common sense. Don't put youself or your family in risky situations. Oh, and don't end your trip in the city of Detroit. It is way worse than any part of Mexico I have seen.

Many, many people will advise you not to visit Mexico. You would be missing the experience of a life time, we have travelled throughout Mexico for the past 17 years and have felt safe. This is definitely the forum to give you good advise about Mexican travel. Also what an experience for your children, my grandkids have all travelled to Mexico, the youngest was 10 days old and they love the country and the people.

Mexico is a wonderful Country to visit! You and Your Children will have a terrific time visiting there!

I use to travel down to Baja every year but have not been there in over 10 yrs. Today I would not travel in to Mexico unless I went with another RV friend, especially taking kids.

Planing a trip to Mexico with my family(safety concerns)

60 Replies

Admin
Moderator
Jul 30, 2013
With this post on topic and on a positive note, it's closed.

Admin
RV.net
Tequila
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
CKBSLS. Join a commercial caravan down the mainland. There are several running. Caravanas de Mexico, Adventure & Fantasy. That way you will be safe & coddled, and learn what it is like down there to RV. I can almost guarantee you will have spent your last winter in the US SW, and be back here in a year arguing with someone who has your current impressions, and planning your next trip there on your own. I think all of us went down the first time with a lot of misconceptions and with a lot of trepidation.
Tequila
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
CKNSLS wrote:
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
CKNSLS, I pay and PAID cash for both Medi-Care and Seguro Social, so I guess it is up to me and not up to you for my choice as far as which one to use. I spent ten days in Hospital in Mexico a year and a half ago so my choice is not crystal clear or predictable. In Mexico I have to wait for the services of an MRI, but guess what AMIGO, as far as my EXPENSIVE medications are concerned I am off the MediCare system. Even though I pay taxes for services I do not receive (but YOU do) I do not complain or make snide remarks.

When an UNINSURED GRINGO staggers into a Mexican hospital clutching his chest, everything else comes to a screeching halt. That person is connected to an electrocardiogram so fast it would make your head swim. The trauma doctor arrives. There are places in Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, West Texas, and even California that puts a person in a WORSE risk than in many rural areas in Mexico. The rural areas in Mexico have clinicas perifericos, that are staffed a hell of a lot more competently than the pseudo veterinarian-grade care a person can expect at a rural facility in the USA. Remember, the medical FAILURES in the USA practice rural medicine. In Mexico first class doctors are required under law to do time in the most out of the way clinics imaginable.

I am FORCED to go north ONCE for several days or travel hundreds of miles several times down here to seek top notch care.

FROM CBS NEWS-
The health-care system in Mexico is a patchwork of evolving and sometimes confusing services for 105 million people in a country still suffering from diseases of the developing world, such as tuberculosis and malaria. Meanwhile, first world maladies have also been emerging — the World Health Organization lists diabetes as the leading cause of death in Mexico, followed by heart and liver disease.

FULL STORY-
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2009/05/04/f-health-mexico-health-system.html

According to the story, if you pay based on the amount of money you make (wages) for healthcare, then your care is commensurate with what you pay in. It contradicts the level of care you say is available in clinics.

You have to know where to go, same as dentists
robatthelake
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
This thread is going nowhere! It is tedious just opening the bantering back and forth!

In My Humble Opinion it is past time for whomever moderates this charade to step in and put it out of its misery!

Mexico is as safe as anywhere else in this World ! Stop, getting Your knickers in a knot just because someone thinks differently.

Personally I hope those of You who are are afraid to visit and enjoy Mexico stay at home. It leaves more space for the ones who don't have those hang ups to enjoy a wonderful Vacation in the sun!
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
qtla9111 wrote:
I think you now understand my point Señor Troll. No matter what you post it is opinion, manipulated data or hearsay.

Come down to Mexico, millions of people do and enjoy the heck out of it. It has to beat the heat in the U.S. at least for now. Sunny beaches, rving along the coasts and mountain ranges.

I even have a 30amp hookup at my house I will gladly let you use complete with water. Included is a tour of my fabulous pueblo magico where I have lived for years. I usually don't lock the gate or the doors but I will if it will make you feel safer at night.

Viva Mexico!

I know the Mexican people are real friendly as well, and your invitation proves it. Thank you!
qtla9111
Nomad
Jul 30, 2013
I think you now understand my point Señor Troll. No matter what you post it is opinion, manipulated data or hearsay.

Come down to Mexico, millions of people do and enjoy the heck out of it. It has to beat the heat in the U.S. at least for now. Sunny beaches, rving along the coasts and mountain ranges.

I even have a 30amp hookup at my house I will gladly let you use complete with water. Included is a tour of my fabulous pueblo magico where I have lived for years. I usually don't lock the gate or the doors but I will if it will make you feel safer at night.

Viva Mexico!
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
fugawibill wrote:
If we quit feeding the troll, will he go away?

It's funny...post some facts and you get called a troll. That's the Internet for you!
fugawibill
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
If we quit feeding the troll, will he go away?
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
Which part of la republica is Northern Utah? How many clinicas 1o 2o and perifericos have you visited? How many medical centers have you been to in the EUA that tells you "take this medicine" when all the time the angina was caused by anemia?

The percentage of heart, liver and kidney transplant success is as high in Mexico as it is in the EUA.

But to tell you for a fact, I do not know anything at all about "Northern Utah" and I shout it out for all to hear. Your streets may be paved with gold, your neighbors may know your name but I am not going to tell you your business because I do not know. ¿Entiendes?
CKNSLS
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
qtla9111 wrote:
CKNSLS wrote:
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
CKNSLS, I pay and PAID cash for both Medi-Care and Seguro Social, so I guess it is up to me and not up to you for my choice as far as which one to use. I spent ten days in Hospital in Mexico a year and a half ago so my choice is not crystal clear or predictable. In Mexico I have to wait for the services of an MRI, but guess what AMIGO, as far as my EXPENSIVE medications are concerned I am off the MediCare system. Even though I pay taxes for services I do not receive (but YOU do) I do not complain or make snide remarks.

When an UNINSURED GRINGO staggers into a Mexican hospital clutching his chest, everything else comes to a screeching halt. That person is connected to an electrocardiogram so fast it would make your head swim. The trauma doctor arrives. There are places in Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, West Texas, and even California that puts a person in a WORSE risk than in many rural areas in Mexico. The rural areas in Mexico have clinicas perifericos, that are staffed a hell of a lot more competently than the pseudo veterinarian-grade care a person can expect at a rural facility in the USA. Remember, the medical FAILURES in the USA practice rural medicine. In Mexico first class doctors are required under law to do time in the most out of the way clinics imaginable.

I am FORCED to go north ONCE for several days or travel hundreds of miles several times down here to seek top notch care.

FROM CBS NEWS-
The health-care system in Mexico is a patchwork of evolving and sometimes confusing services for 105 million people in a country still suffering from diseases of the developing world, such as tuberculosis and malaria. Meanwhile, first world maladies have also been emerging — the World Health Organization lists diabetes as the leading cause of death in Mexico, followed by heart and liver disease.

FULL STORY-
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2009/05/04/f-health-mexico-health-system.html

According to the story, if you pay based on the amount of money you make (wages) for healthcare, then your care is commensurate with what you pay in. It contradicts the level of care you say is available in clinics.

Again Señor Troll, you are way off.

Tuberculosis in the U.S. 4 per 100K, Mexico 2 per 100K
Malaria in the U.S. (1 highest, 192 lowest) U.S. 117 Mexico 179

Maybe you're not a troll, but watch national news, or as the rest of the world calls U.S. national news, "the local rag".

Your off on your TB rates Senior-
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tbpc-latb/itir-eng.php#tphp

Also, death rates from Malaria in Mexico and the U.S. are the same.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/malaria/by-country/